The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-03-31
BELFAST, MAINE, THURSDAY, MARCH 81, 1887

cribes the annual fete of Pascua (whit Sum-
day. on which day the churches and the gamb-
ling houses are thrown open simultaneously,
and the greatest celebration was held at San
Agustin,Na romantic village nine miles from
the City of Mexico, now generally called Tla-
pam. Says she: "Time in its revolutions,
whirling all things out of their places, has
made no change in the annual fete of San
Agustin. Fashions alter. The graceful man.
tila gradually gives place to the ungraceful
bonnet. The old painted walk, moving slowly
like a caravan, with Guido's Aurora painted on
its panels. is dismissed for the London-buiit
carriage. Old customs have passed away. The
ladies no longer sit on the door-siIIs, eating
roast duck with their fingers. Even the float
ing gardens have become stationary and have
occasionally joined the continent. But the an
nual fete of San A9ustin is built on more
solid foundation than taste or custom or float
ing soi.' "'rhc country villas are
filled with all that is gayest and most distin-
guisl,ed in Mexico, and every house and every
room in the village has Eecn hired for months
in advance. The ladies are in their most ee-
CANT toettes, and looking forward to delight
fu whirl Of dancing, cock-fghting, gambling,
dressing and driving out.
1.-The high road leading from the capital to
San Agustm is covered with vehicles of every
description; carriages, diligencias, hacks, carts
and carratelas. Those who are not fortunate
enough to possess any wheeled conveyance
come out on horses or mules-singIe, double
with visions of silver before their eyes and
few pence hid under their rags. trudge out on
foot. The President HIMSELF in carriage and
six, attended by his aides-dc-camp, sanctions
by his presence the amusemcnts of the fetc.
The Mexican generals and other officers follow
in his wake, and the gratifying spectacle may
not infrequcntly be seen of the President lean
ing from his box in the plaza de ratios, bet
ting upon cock with Il hatless. bootess and
probably worthless rag muffin in the pit.
''Wc went to the gdlIOs about three O'Clock.
The main plaza was crowded and
THE LADIES IN THEIR BONES
looked like Il parterrc of bright-hued flowers.
But while the SenOraS in their boxes did honor
to the fete by their brilliant toilettes. the gem
tlemcn promenaded round the circle in jackets,
high and low being OIL the same curt0iled
footing. certainly in a style of dress more be-
fitting the exhibition. The President and his
suite were already there, also several of the
foreign ministers.
'Meanwhile the cocks crowed valantly, bets
were adjusted, and even the women entered
into the spirit of the scene, taking bets with
the gentlemen. sOtto cOce, upon such and such
favorite animals. AS Il small knife is fastened
to the leg of each cock, the battle seldom lasts
long. one or the other soon falling in pool of
blood. Then great clapping of hands ell
sues, mingled with the loud growing OF some
unfortunate cock who was giving himself airs
previous to Il combat in which he is probably
destined to crow his last.
at has Il curious effect to European ewes to
see young ladies of a good family, looking Pc
culiary feminine and gentle, sanctioning by
their presence the savage diversion.
Unlike cock-pits in other countries, attended
only by black-legs and pickpockets. by far the
largest portion of the assembly in the pit was
composed of the first young men in Mexico
and for that matter of the first old ones too
There was neither confusion nor noise nor
even loud talking. much less swearing. even
among the lowest Of those assembled in the
ring. 1t is this quiet and orderly behavior
which throws over all these incongruities
cloak of dcccncy and 'lecorum. that hides their
improprety so completely that foreigners who
have lived here a few years and who were at
first astonished and diSyusted by these things,
are now quite rcconciled to them.'
Writing from the same place the following
ycar-where, the Countess remarks, she went
"for the sake of those who had not seen
cock-ight before'-she adds: ''Thc ladies of
our party wore dresses and bonnets as simple
fresh and elegant as could be seen in any part
of the world. \ young and titled heircss,
newly arrived from her distant estates, wore
pink satin, with white bonnet and feathers;
and we observed that, according to the ancient
San Agu>tin fashion, she changed her dress
five times a day. FANNIE B. WARD.